*** Job description ***
I am looking for two students interested in pursuing their PhD in Biophysics focused on understanding the biophysical limiting factors of patterning precision in developing tissues. The positions are fully funded by the National Science Center Poland (NCN).
The project goal is to understand to what extent growth, cellular dynamics, biomechanical feedbacks and global mechanical constraints limit patterning precision in the growing tissue. The successful candidate is expected to actively take part in the project by proposing and analyzing models in the framework of theoretical and computational biophysics. The proposed models will be informed with high resolution experimental data provided by external collaborators.
Both scholarships (#1 and #2) are aimed for applicants with computational background. The applicant should have MSc in biophysics, physics, mathematics, computer science or similar. The applicant should successfully apply to PhD school in Polish research institution or university.

The applicants should have:
- interest in the interdisciplinary aspect of the project,
- experience with numerical solvers (C++, Python), (scholarship #1)
- experience with image segmentation algorithms, (scholarship #2)
- proficiency in written and spoken English.

The project goal is to understand to what extent growth, cellular dynamics, biomechanical feedbacks and global mechanical constraints limit patterning precision in the growing tissue. The successful candidate is expected to actively take part in the project by proposing and analyzing models in the framework of theoretical and computational biophysics. The proposed models will be informed with high resolution experimental data provided by external collaborators.

*** Scope of work ***
scholarship #1: The PhD student will develop a vertex model of growing tissue. The model will include novel methods to simulate cellular and bio-mechanical processes taking place in biological tissues. The simulation results will be informed with high resolution experimental data provided by external collaborators. The PhD student will estimate level of patterning precision as a function of growth, cellular and mechanical factors. The PhD student will actively take part in group research activities, including dissemination of project results through publications, scientific conferences, research seminars and general audience talks.
scholarship #2: The PhD student will identify possible cellular mechanisms and biomechanical feedbacks affecting patterning precision in vertebrate tissues. The PhD student will derive estimates of bio-mechanical tissue properties from high resolution experimental data provided by external collaborators. The estimates will be used to inform computational models of biomechanical feedbacks. The PhD student will actively take part in group research activities, including dissemination of project results through publications, scientific conferences, research seminars and general audience talks.

*** Important dates ***
Call opening: 28 April 2023
Doctoral School recruitment at Jagiellonian University: June and September 2023
Application deadline: 2 October 2023
Results: by 17 October 2023.

*** Additional information ***
The NCN funded scholarship for PhD students is provided for 4-years.
The group webpage: https://zagorskigroup.com/
Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Successful candidate will be selected by a committee chaired by the project leader. The condition of successful application to Doctoral School in Polish research institution or university needs to be fulfilled to be considered in this opening. Please consult details at https://science.phd.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/start. Please contact me in advance at marcin.zagorski@uj.edu.pl to prepare application to Doctoral School at Jagiellonian University.
The official announcement can be found at https://fais.uj.edu.pl/wydzial/zatrudnienie/.